Some of Bill Shankly's quotes about football and life in general have become as legendary as the Man himself. Here are a few 'unsourced' gems:
Someone said to me 'football is more important than life and death' and I said 'Listen, it's more important than that.' 1981.
It's there to remind our lads who they're playing for, and to remind the opposition who they're playing against. Talking about the 'This is Anfield' plaque in the tunnel at Anfield.
Liverpool was made for me and I was made for Liverpool.
The fans here are the greatest in the land. They know the game and they know what they want to see. The people on the Kop make you feel great - yet humble.
I was the best manager in Britain because I was never devious or cheated anyone. I'd break my wife's legs if I played against her, but I would never cheat her.
For a player to be good enough to play for Liverpool, he must be prepared to walk through a brick wall for me.
It's great grass at Anfield, professional grass.
If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing.
Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.
'He has football in his blood' exclaimed a scout, 'You may be right, but it hasn't reached his legs yet' replied Shankly.
The problem with you son is that all of your brains are in your head.
A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe you are the best and then make sure that you are. In my time at Anfield we always said we had the best two teams on Merseyside, Liverpool and Liverpool reserves.
Take that poof bandage off, and what do you mean you've hurt 'your' knee, it's Liverpool's knee. Said to Tommy Smith in training.
The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they do not know the game.
If Everton were playing at the bottom of the garden, I'd draw the curtains.
'Anything off the top?' asked a barber in 1968. 'Aye, Everton' replied Shankly. Bill's barber was an Evertonian, and when asked once why he supplied him with a couple of tickets to Anfield, Bill said 'occasionally I ask him for a shave.' The Barber also joined in the banter by saying that one day he would '..cut Bill's throat, but his blood is red as well..'
Of course I didn't take my wife to see Rochdale as an anniversary present, it was her birthday. Would I have got married in the football season? Anyway, it was Rochdale reserves.
After failing to sign Lou Macari 'I only wanted him for the reserves anyway.'
To Alan Ball after he signed for Everton 'Never mind Alan, at least you'll be able to play next to a great team.'
There's Man.Utd and Man.City at the bottom of Division 1, and by God they'll take some shifting.